Concentric pilot valve flow regulator



N. PLANK ACONCENTRIC PILOT VALVE FLOW REGULATOR April 7, 1953 Filed Dec. 18. 1948 Patented Apr. 7, 1953 ,a

UNITED STATE CONCETRIC PILOT VALVE FLOW REGULATOR Norris Plank, East chicago, ma., assignor to sneu Development Company, San Franciscmcalif., a corporation of Delaware l ApplicationDecember 18, 1948, Serial No. 66,036

3 Claims. (Cl. 137-486) This invention relates to pressure-responsive flow regulators and pertains more particularly to self-energized flow regulators for use in controlling and maintaining predetermined br constant and preferably substantially high rates of ilow in fluid ilow lines.

In order to secure close and sensitive pressure control in pipe lines, numerous types of pilotoperated ow regulators have been designed. However, the location and operating conditions of many :Iluld flow lines, e. g.,rpetroleum pipe lines, often render the use of most types of flow regulators impractical and inadequate. In general, these regulators are actuated by pilot valves requiring the use of an auxiliary pressure fluid, such as, for example, air, oil, or any other suitable fluid. Since the installation of an individual pneumatic or hydraulic system ateach valve or regulator in a cross-country pipe line entails considerable expense and maintenance, it is desirable to install self-energized regulators, especially at the more isolated locations. These regulators must be ofrugged construction so as to withstand and control high pressures and rates of ilow,`e. g., 1000 p. s. i. and 1000 G. P. M., respectively. Most of the present self-energized flow regulators are only designed to control re1- atively low rates of ow and would be damaged or made inoperative by high pressures and especially byV high pressure surges. j

, It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a flow regulator for fluid conduits that is self-energized in that its operation is re`' sponsive to and controlled bythe flow in the i'luid conduit and is independent of any auxiliary pneumatic or hydraulic control means. V`'It' is also an object of the present invention to providev a self-energized vflow regulator `of a simple and sturdy design for use in pipe line systems handling high pressures or rates of flow.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a self-energized Ilow regulator adapted to dampen and stophigh pressure surges in a pipe line. o Another object of the present invention Vis to provide a self-energized flow regulator of the diaphragm type which is responsive to the differences between the pressures upstream and downstream of an orifice means associated with the regulator, the diaphragm of said regulator being adequately protected against damage or permanent distortion by high pressure surges.

Gther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed 2 description taken with references to the dr wherein: i Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in cross section, of a preferred embodiment of a flow regulator of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve and conduit means with the diaphragm means of the present regulator. i

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1 illustrating the fluid passageways 22 in the inner wall of the guide cylinder.

f Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 illustrating an alternative structure with the iluid passageways 22 being cut in the outer wall of Vthe piston 25.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, the pressure regulator` of the present invention is shown having a flanged housing I0 adapted to be installed in a fluid ilow line I2, such as, for example, a petroleum products pipe line. This in stallation may be effected by any desired means comprising, for example, elbows I'I and 83 and flanges 84, 85, 86 and 81. The housing I 0 has a fluid inlet port I3 and a fluid outlet port I4 with a preferably beveled valve seat I5 formed around said fluid outlet port inside said housing. The open top of the housing III is flanged, whereby a flanged bonnet I6 may be secured thereto-by bolts I1. Positioned in any suitable manner within'the housing Ill/is a diaphragm casing I8 having a guide cylinder I9, preferably attached to or formed on the bottom of said casing. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the top of the diaphragm casing I8 has a circular flange 2li that rests on a'shoulder 2l in the housing Ill. Preferably, the guide cylinder I9 is sealed in a fluidtight manner within the housing I0 by an O ring seal positioned therebetween.

The main valve assembly comprises any suitable closure means such as a valve or plug 23 mounted around a valve stem 24, said valve and Wins ' valve stem being ilxedly secured to a guide piston member 25 mounted for sliding movement within the guide cylinder I9. Extending through the valve stem 24 and plug 23 is a small fluid conduit or channel means '26 in communication between the downstream side of the valve lplug 23 and the inside of the guide piston member 25. The guide piston member 25 is in the form of a hollow cylinder having a closed-end 21, the opposite sides of which -serve as vthe two faces of the piston. Longitudinal-grooves or other suitable conduit means are cut in the outer wall of the piston 25 (Figure 4) -orthe inner wall of the guide cylinder I9 forming passageways 22 between said piston and cylinder I9 (Figure 3) to allow fluid to enter said piston 25 and casing I8.

The hollow piston member 25 contains a needle valve assembly therein for controlling uid ow through the fluid conduit 23. This assembly comprises a valve stem 24, which may extend into the piston member 25 and have an orice B9 at its extended end adapted to be closed byv a small plug or needle-type valve 28 secured to one end of a valve stem 29. The valve stem 29 is mounted for sliding movement in a bushing 30 positioned centrally of the diaphragm casing I8. A diaphragm contact disc 31' is secured to the other end of the valve stem 29 of the needle valve 28.

is arranged to pull the diaphragm unit up and lift the needle valve 28 off its seat in the piston chamber when the pressure above and below the diaphragm unit is edualized. A yoke 19, having an extended threaded rod 1I xedly attached thereto, is mounted about the spring 58. The rod 1I extends through, and is suitably packed within, a nipple 12 in the bonnet. IE, saidnipple having a cover 13. A nut 1li on said rod II serves to; adjust the tension on said spring 58.

The space 5 3 ywithin the housing I5 is in commanieauon with the space et within the dia- The diaphragm assembly comprises a central support plate 32 having raised annular iianges 33 and 34 upon which a pair of flexible diaphragms 35 and 33 may be positioned or secured in spaced relationship to said plate 32 so asto form fluidtight chambers 31 andes on opposite sides thereof. The diaphragms 35 and 35 may be made of any ilexible material, such as, `for example, rubber, rubberized canvas, sheet metal, or the like, which may-be secured in any suitable manner, as by cementing, soldering, etc., to the flanges 33 and 34. In the embodiment of Figure 1,

shoulders 39 'and 49 are formed or machined in y the bonnet II and diaphragm casing I8, respectively, so that when the bonnet I3 is bolted'in place, the upper diaphragm 35 is clamped between anges 33 and shoulder 39 while the lower diaphragm 36 is clamped between flange 34 and the adjacent shoulder 40.

\ Centrally located in a hole d! in the center of the support plate 32 is a bushing L19 in which a tubular dual valve stem42 is slidably mounted, as shown in detail in Figure `2. Perforations 33 and 44 in the wall of said tubular valve stem 42, and near either end thereof, permit fluid circulation from one side of the support plate 32 to the other. Secured to the ends of the valve stem 42 on opposite -sides of said plate 32 and spaced therefrom are suitable valve-closure means, such as, for example, valve plates d5 and 46, formed so as to nt tightly against the beveled valve seats d1 and 43 around the edges of the hole in the bushing 49 when forced thereagainst. A more positive seal between the valves and their seats may be secured by the use of rubber ring seals 5i! and'l suitably secured tothe valve plates. The overall length of the valve stem 42 and the attached valve plates 35 and 45 is preieralolyr the same as the distance between the diaphragms 35 and 36 so that the valve plates contact their adjacent diaphragme. Both chambers 31 and 33 of the diaphragm assembly are lled with any suitable clean fluid such as oil, said fluid being relatively incompressible, of a constant viscosity and having a lowl freezing point. The diaphragm assembly may be filled through one of the conduits 52 or 53 which are normally closed by valves 5d and 55.

A second diaphragm contact disc 53 is mounted at the end of a slidable rod 51 which is centrally positioned in the bonnet I5. The disc 55 and rod 51 may be secured through diaphragm 35 to valve plate #55 in any suitable manner as by a screw 3S. Rcd and disc 3l may be secured, in a similar manner, through diaphragm 36 to valve plate #i5 by screw 89. Surrounding the rod 51 and mounted between the bonnet I3 and the disc 56 is a diaphragm spring 5S which the `regulator is put into service.

phragm casing I3 through one or more ports 6i,

- while the space 33 is-in communication with the .space S2 inside the hollow piston 25 through a port t3 o1 predetermined size. A drain outlet 9i in said housing le normally closed by a valve 92 permits air to be-bled from said housing when The rate of fluid now into the hollow piston 25 is controlled by the. size .ofthe grooves. 2v2 in the wall of. the piston Z5 or l'cylinder i9.. f .y

To create a headless .or dierential pressure in 'the fluid flow line. i2,.any suitable orice 'mayv be inserted in the iiow' line on the upstream side of the valve. plug valve 15 is employed'fh'aving an adjustable apertured plug 15 and an' operating handle 18. The bonnet i3 of the regulator is. in communication through a conduit 11 with flow line I2, up-V stream of plug valvei.

To illustrate the use of the :dow regulator of he present invention, its operation wheny used'.

ing the regulator from the fluid pipe line I2. .As

hereinabove mentioned, the diaphragm assembly is filled with a separate fluid and .is sealed so thatnone 'of this fluid .can escape, thus/.forming an independent iiuid. system that is affected. only when pressure'is applied to either diaphragm 35 or 36. For example, when pressure is applied to the outer vsurface of the lower diaphragm 35, the pressure will bendthe flexible diaphragm toward the central support plate 32 and the fluid in the compartment 38 between said diaphragm and said' plate will be forced through the perforations M, tubular valve stem d2 and perfora tion 43. into the compartment 31 on the opposite side of the plate 32 thus causing a corresponding movement of the upper diaphragm 35. Since the tubular valve stem 62 is slidably mounted in the bushing 43, it will also be moved .with .the

diaphragms 35 and 35 until the Valve 46 contactsv the valve seat 43, which vcloses the perforations 44 and prevents any more uid from being forced through the valve stem 42. Thus, when the valve 4S is closed, continued or increased pressure on the lower diaphragm 36 does not change the pressure against the upper diaphragm 35, which prevents it from being injured or damaged, while the fluid trapped between the lower diaphragm 36 and the plate 32 prevents ruptureoff ln the embodiment illustrated, a

aesaee e When a flowf'regulator ofthe present inven tion has been installed in a fluid pipe line I2 ad- 'jacent a plug valve 15, fluid from said line I2 'passes through the open plug 160i the'valve 15. enters the uid inlet I3 of the fiowfregulator-and fills all portionsof the 'regulator housing I0. Fluid travels through passageways between the outer wallof the piston 25 Aand inner wall of cylinder I9 into chamber t2v and thence through Yporti3into chamber `Ill, thus subjecting the lower diaphragm 36 to the line pressure on the vdownstream side of the plug valve 15. Fluid lenters the hollow piston 25 of the regulator through'port clearance passagel so that when the needle valve 23 is closed, line pressure on the downstream side of the plug valve 'is applied to both sides of thetransverse plate element 21 of the piston 25.-

There' is also a flow of uid through conduit 11 between the bonnet IE. oi. theV ilowregulator and the fluid flow line "I 2'up'stream of the plug valve 15; .Thus the upper and lower sides of the diaphragm assembly are subjected-'t6' the. line presv`v sures upstream and downstream ci the plug valve 15, respectively. As long vas these two pressures are equal, the diaphragm spring 58 is arranged to lift the diaphragms 35 and'36 upwards raisthereof. Since the flow regulator has a needle valve orice 69 larger than the clearance space between piston and cylinder Wall, the flowi rate through the needle valve exceeds the flow rate of thus causing the pressure inside said piston to be reduced below guidecylinder I9 thus opening the main valve 23, or moving it to a more open position if it is already open. The piston 25 moves "upward until itreaches the seating position of the pressure iiuid entering the hollow piston 25 the needle valve r2li. Normally the piston 25 and attached main valve 23 follow the motion of the needle valve very closely.

In operation,l the regulator valve 23 remains open as long as the plug valve 15 is open due to the reaction of the spring 58 which may be set at any predetermined tension. However, when the plug valve 15 is partially closed to create a pressure drop in the'iiowing stream sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 58, the diaphragm 35 and 38 and the needle valve 28 move downwards. When the needle valve seats and closes orifice 69, liquidfcan no longer escape through conduit 36 andthe pressure on either side of the hollow pistony .25 becomes equalized thus allowing any further downward movement of the diaphragms andthe needle valve 28 to move the main valve 23 to a more closed position.

The rate-of-flow regulator of the present invention throttles the stream in a fluid flow line to maintain a constant pressure drop across an lines," thecpressure drop 'across theorifice .15 being employed toactuate the needleor pilot Valve 28 while the main valve 23 is operated by the uid iiow in the'pip'e line I2.

f Iclaim as myinvention: 1 A

- 1. In a pipe line flow regulator, a main valve housing'diaphra'gm means dividing said hous# ing into a first and asecond chamber, conduit means opening to said first chamber for supplying thereto a fluid under pressure, inlet and outf-v let portmeans to and from said `second chamber, a valve member in said second chamber adapted to close the outlet port means from the upstream side thereof, piston' means insaid second cham-- ber axially spaced fromjsaid diaphragm, said piston means `being rigidly connected to *said valve member on `the upstream side thereof for reciprocating said valve `member with regard to the outlet port means, one side of saidv piston.

means being directly exposed at all times to'the pressure ofiiuid entering said inlet port means, restricted passagemeans in communication'beff tween saidinlet portmeans and the space bef tween said diaphragm means andthe other -side of said piston means, channel means through said valvel member in communication between said space .and the outlet port means, said chan"-A nel means having a greater throughput than said restricted vpassagev means, auxiliary. valve means controllingthe iiow through said channel means, said auxiliary valve means beingconnected for actuation by said diaphragm means to close and open said channel means in response to increases and decreases of the pressure of the fluid Within the first chamber of the vvalve housing, and spring means positioned to maintain a predetermined tension on said diaphragm means to hold said valve member and said auxiliary valve means normally Aopen when no pressure difierential exists across said valve member.

2. In a pipe line flow regulator a main valve housing, diaphragm means dividing said housing into a first and a second chamber, conduit means opening to said rst chamber for supplying thereto a fluid under pressure, inlet and outlet port means to andfrom said second chamber, a valve member in said second chamber adapted to close the outlet port means from the upstream side thereof, piston means in said second chamber axially` spaced from said diaphragm, said piston means being rigidly connected to said valve member on thev upstream side thereof for reciprocating said valve member with regard to the outlet port means, one side of said piston means being directly exposed at all times to the pressure of uid entering said inlet port means, restricted passage means in communication between said inlet port means and the space be tween said diaphragm means and the other side of said piston means, channel means through said valve member in communication between said space and the outlet port means, said channel means having ka greater throughput than said restricted passage means, auxiliary valve means controlling the ow through said channel means, said auxiliary valve means being connected for actuation by said diaphragm means to close and open said channel means in response to increases and decreases of the pressure of the fluid within the first chamber of the valve housing, said diaphragm means comprising a diaphragm casing having open ends, flexible diaphragms closing said open ends, transverse plate means dividing said casing into two chambers, said chambers being adapted to be filled with a liquidaperture means through said plate means in, communication between -said chambers, rigid spacingv means between said diaphragms *slidably mounted in said aperture meanscauvsing said diaphragms to move in unison in response to a differential pressure applied to them, flow means through said rigid spacing means, and valve means carried on said rigid spacing means for closing said aperture means when the diaphragms are subjected to excessive differential pressures.

3.v In a pipe line ow regulator, av main valve housing, diaphragm means dividing said housing into a rst and a second chamber, conduit means` opening to said first chamber for supplying f cn thereto a fluid under pressure, inletand outlet portmeans to and from said second chamber, avalve' member in said second chamber adapted to, close the outlet port means from the upstream 'side there'c, piston means in said second chamberaxially spaced from said diaphragm, said lpiston means being rigidly connected `to said valve member on the upstream side thereof for reciprocating said valve member with regard to the' outlet port means, one side of said piston means being directly 'exposed at all times to the pressure of fluid entering said inlet port means, restricted passage means in communication be tween said inlet `port means and the space be tween said diaphragm means and the. other side of' said Vpiston means, vchannel means through said valve member in communication between sa-idspace and the-outlet port means, said channel,V means having ja greater throughput than said restricted passage means,A auxiliary valve means controlling the flow through said channel means, said auxiliary valve means being connected for actuation by said diaphragm means to close and open said channel means in response to increases and decreases of the pressure of the uid within the rst chamber lof the valve housing, said diaphragm means comprising two spaced diaphragms, rigid plate means parallel to said diaphragms dividing the space therebetween into two fluidtight chambers adapted to contain a pressure fluid, aperture means through said plate means in communication between said fluidtight chambers, and valve means. for closing said aperture means when the diaphragm means are subjected to excessive differential pressure.

- NORRIS PLANK.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are.v of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namev Date 750,752 Cole Jan. 26, 1904 1,925,301 Campbell Sept. 5, 1933 2,146,176 Donaldson Feb. 7, 1939 2,381,429 Bell Aug. 7, 1945 2,400,048 Jcnesw. May 7, 1946 

